Antdebby1

I have had my Bernina for over 15 years and I will never own any other brand than Bernina. I love that it is all metal and sews like a dream. I've never had a minute of trouble with it.

I recently used a Janome machine and while it was nice, it felt cheap to me because it wasn't made of metal (mostly plastic).

mosquitosewgirl

Janome, Janome, Janome! I love my Horizon 7700, loved my MC4900, loved my New Home! Sew easy, sew fun!

CanoePam

You could ask a similar question about cars: Do you think I should buy a Dodge, Chevy, Toyota, or Ford? I'm afraid the answers would be about as meaningful. We all have our favorites, mostly because the ones we ended up with meet our personal needs. However your needs and wants will probably be different. I always recommend you check for the best local shops first. That will narrow the list significantly. For example, if there isn't a good Bernina store nearby, it probably should come off your list. Then go to each of the shops with samples of what you normally sew with - piecing, FMQ, garment fabrics, home dec. If you do buttonholes, come prepared with samples to do those one. Spend some significant time with your options. One of the machines will probably "speak" to you. BTW: If the shop doesn't want to let you just play with the machine a bit to try it out, move that shop to the "not very good" category!

As to purely personal experience, I love my Berninas and my vintage Singers. I value perfect straight stitches and heavy-duty metal construction so those fit my style. But note: Your style may vary completely!

Pam

Candace

I've owned Janome, Viking, Pfaff and Bernina. You need to test drive all models to find what you want. To ask which manufacturer you should buy is like asking what flavor of ice cream is best.

quiltsRfun

You'll get lots of opinions. I think most of us will recommend our current brand. For me that's a Viking. My advice, test drive and decide for yourself.

hobo2000

I have three Janomes..#1 22 years old, #2 17 years old, #3 10 years old. NONE have ever seen the inside of a machine shop for service or repair. Talk about workhorses, they last and last and I will probably put them in my will so they will go on living after I am gone. LOL

sampson001

I have been using a Janome Memory Craft can't remember model for some 25 years, it has never missed a beat, and my patchwork teacher who swears by berninas said it was the quietest machine she has heard. I love it, but then we don't all love the same things

LyndaOH

Janome all the way! I have the Horizon now but have had the 6500 and the 6600. For class I have the 3160QC and love it!

Dolphyngyrl

I have to chime in my two cents here for the person that said look at the babylocks, because i love love my babylock. Best machine I have ever own. Even my teacher who said she has own different machines from different manufacturers and is a die hard bernina fan said the only machine she would have other than a bernina is a babylock

QuiltingKrazy

I have a Janome 6500 and Love it. BUT... I highly reccomend that you decide what is most important to you of what you want and need. Make a list, research online and then GO and VISIT local dealers. TEST DRIVE their machines.
They all have a different feel and what I like you may not and what you like I might not.

They have no problem letting you actually sew on their demo machines. When I was buying mine, it took me forever and I tried all kinds! Best idea I ever had! SO GO TEST SEWING! and have fun while do it!